Taft OKs minimum-wage exceptions for Ohio (including amusement Parks)

That is ridiculous, i think it takes a liitle more skill and knowledge to operate a massive piece of machinery then it does to flip a burger! So a cedar point employee should make at least what a mcdonalds employee makes.

Just an FYI, as a former McDonald's employee, I can tell you that the wages greatly differ from restaurant to restaurant. I started at the (old) minimum wage, $5.15, and received a mere ten cent raise every six months. I know of some people at other restaurants, aged 15-17, starting at $7.60. Believe me, the CP wage doesn't seem bad at all after a year of $5.15-$5.25.

And manning the grill at McD's isn't nearly as easy as many seem to think it is. It's hot, fast-paced, rather dangerous, and can become quite stressful at times. It requires quick quantitative skills and the ability to multi-task for long periods of time.

Jimbo,
Its pulling on a restraint and pushing buttons, not rocket science or brain surgery.
Its not hard because its difficult, its hard because its menial. The workers deserve alot of praise, but don't make your job sound like something it isn't.

I think Chief hit it right on the head, its not the pay the park needs to be worried about, its the "everything else" available to the workers that needs to be revamped.

Spoken like someone who's never done it.

It's rather more than "pulling on a restraint and pushing buttons." Can you tactfully tell a large guest that their wait in line was wasted because they can't fasten the seatbelt? Can you find a polite way of stopping that person at entrance and suggesting they try the test seat? How about telling parents that their child isn't tall enough to ride Dragster, even though "they just rode Power Tower" (bear in mind, you have to be nice). It's not rocket science or brain surgery, no, but it's not like we could be replaced by robots or semi-skilled monkeys either...unless you like the idea of 5 minute dispatches ;-)

Wages are usually a small percentage of a business's expenses, so I really doubt a raise is going to hit the bottom line too hard. CP has not given a raise for years, but my school has raised tuition each year that I've been here. I agree with Wahoo, though, that I'd much sooner see employee facilities improved.

So no, they don't legally *have* to give a raise, but I wonder how much success they'll be having with staffing without one. Though employees may be taking more money home with them anyway as a result of longer hours. What do you think a bunch of exhausted and burnt-out workers are gonna do for guest service?

That's nice that CP is still giving the $6.85, but you have to wonder who pushed the state to get that exemption. As for the bonus, I've heard some rumors about the program being adjusted this year, and if those rumors are right, they'd be adjusted in a way most employees would be happy about.

HoosierTTD said:
Spoken like someone who's never done it.

I agree with him and I've done it for years.

I did a lot of jobs at amusement parks over the years. Ride Operator, games attendant, marketing surveyor, foods, etc. Far and away the easiest job of them all was ride operator. I'm not putting it down....as I really enjoyed it....but the fact of the matter is you are, for the most part, working on a crew doing a few simple tasks, at most, as part of the overall team effort.

There are a few ride jobs that are more difficult than others. Those that come to mind are manual ferris wheels, go kart rides, car rides (like turnpike cars) and...to be honest with you...kiddie rides. It takes a special patience to work kiddie rides. And, more often than not, dealing with the children is far easier than dealing with the parents.

The easiest ride job I ever had was the coasters. Are they the most "glamorous"? I guess. But, to me that is also the most tedious ride job. Redundant work over, and over, and over, and...well, you get the picture.

Ralph Wiggum said:
That's nice that CP is still giving the $6.85, but you have to wonder who pushed the state to get that exemption. As for the bonus, I've heard some rumors about the program being adjusted this year, and if those rumors are right, they'd be adjusted in a way most employees would be happy about.

If it means anything... From what I've heard Supervisors got a $0.50 raise per hour, but their bonus got cut to $0.50 an hour. We just might be seeing a $0.40 an hour bonus program this year... but we'll see.

yeah...you're still making the same amount that you would be making if there wasn't the pay change with the bonus, and without the bonus, you are probably making more.

Granted, Cedar Point may have problems because there isnt that big of an incentive to stay when things start getting...dramatic...if the bonus is only going to be around 300 bones at that point...

who knows...im still goin back!

Cedar Point will be giving less of an advantage for employees to stay till the end of their contract if they cut the bonus back. This means that people nearing their end of their contract that are burnt out will be more likely to quit. They have enough trouble nearing the end of the season with lack of employees as it is.

JuggaLotus said:
Jimbo,
Its pulling on a restraint and pushing buttons, not rocket science or brain surgery.
Its not hard because its difficult, its hard because its menial. The workers deserve alot of praise, but don't make your job sound like something it isn't.

May not be brain surgery but I can guarantee that I work much harder then my mother does and I am 16. (Only talking about job labor).

I have had this job for over a year and I can tell you with all certainty that your logic is completely flawed on this one.

With lower wages they will most likly become shorthanded I think they should concider hiring 16 year olds. Put them in the kiddyareas.

Kidde areas are good and bad. Kids listen much better than many adults, and don't question you about rules and such. Kiddie rides require a certain amount of patience, but believe me, it's worth the pay off in the end. Small children have so much fun on the rides it's almost unbelievable. I can't tell you how many times I've seen children burst into tears when their ride ends.

Besides, I seem to recall that they can't use anyone under 18 in ride ops. Not sure if it's the state or their underwriter.

Can't be the state because Geauga Lake does it.

As does Kings Island. That's a Cedar Point rule, not anything with the state.

I think CP has the 18 rule because they can. GL and KI probably couldn't draw enough employees (presumably due to lack of housing) to staff all the positions that CP does with ages 18+. If they had the drawing power, I'm sure you'd see 18 and up in place at the other parks too.

JuggaLotus said:
but don't make your job sound like something it isn't.

Im not trying to make anyones job sound like something it isn't, im just giving my opinion, and i dont work at cedar point so what are you talking about? And i guarantee you there are more safety precautions you have to follow when you are operating a ride that involves the general public and their safety, im sure theres more to it then just pushing buttons and pulling restraints. And when your dropping 1.2 million a year for the CEO, and 21 million for a new ride you should pay at least minimum wage, its not like its a family owned cafe that makes no money, it a multi billion dollar company!

JuggaLotus said:

And when your dropping 1.2 million a year for the CEO, and 21 million for a new ride you should pay at least minimum wage, its not like its a family owned cafe that makes no money, it a multi billion dollar company!

Very well said

Quote-gasm?